PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns are currently home to one of the finest scorers in the history of the NBA, a four-time All-Star, a three-time All-Star, a championship-winning coach, and a cadre of seasoned players with impressive credentials.
However, the team has faced difficulties over the last couple of months, underwhelming on the court.
As they approach the midpoint of the season with a 17-19 record, the Suns’ management—general manager James Jones and owner Mat Ishbia—finds themselves at a crossroads as the upcoming trade deadline on February 6 looms.
This situation raises the question: should they remain the course, implement minor adjustments, or completely overhaul the roster?
Examining the season thus far, the Suns appointed coach Mike Budenholzer during the summer. Budenholzer, a native of Arizona, previously led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA championship in 2021, overcoming the Suns in the finals.
He replaced Frank Vogel, who had successfully guided the team to a 49-33 season last year, although they faced a disappointing exit after being swept by the Timberwolves in the first round.
Early on, the coaching change appeared promising as the trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal maintained good health, enabling the Suns to start strong with an 8-1 record.
However, a calf injury sidelining Durant during their ninth game initiated a trend of ongoing minor injuries across the roster, compelling Budenholzer to continuously adjust his rotations.
Since that strong beginning, the Suns have only managed a 9-18 record, placing them in 12th position in the Western Conference, which jeopardizes their playoff hopes.
Addressing the underlying issues, while injuries have contributed to the struggles of the Suns, several other factors are at play.
Over the past season and a half, the trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal has not managed to find a cohesive rhythm despite solid individual performances.
Recently, Budenholzer made the decision to shift Beal to the bench to diversify their scoring capabilities, a move that Beal has met with mixed feelings, despite showing some improvement on the court.
“It’s something that is going to take some time,” Budenholzer noted, alluding to the need for patience in developing team chemistry.
There are additional complications in the center position as well, with Jusuf Nurkic posting a disappointing average of 8.6 points, the lowest since he was 21 years old in 2016.
Nurkic has also been moved to the bench and was inactive for their recent victory over the Hawks.
Considering potential trades, the Suns’ situation presents challenges.
They have one of the priciest rosters in the league, with limited flexibility for adjustments.
Additionally, many of their future first-round draft picks have already been traded away, leaving them with few assets to leverage.
Beal’s contract, valued at around $50 million, and Nurkic’s at $18 million, are both extending into next season, complicating any potential trades due to their significant financial implications.
Notably, Beal comes with a no-trade clause.
The Suns have been associated with potential trade interests in Miami’s distressed star Jimmy Butler, but given the salary cap constraints, acquiring him would likely necessitate involving Beal in the deal.
Although Durant and Booker stand out as valuable trade assets, it seems the Suns are not eager to part with either player.
Looking ahead, the Suns have secured two victories in the last three matches since Beal’s shift to the bench, and they are set for a series of advantageous games against teams like the Jazz and Hornets.
Should Phoenix manage to improve their record above .500 in the coming weeks, the front office may choose to retain their core players and implement minor tweaks.
However, if the struggles persist, significant roster changes could be on the horizon.
